UK & World News

Prostate Cancer: Funding Shortfall Charity Warns

Research into the most common male cancer in the UK is chronically underfunded compared with its female equivalent, a charity has warned.

New figures show that although it is the fourth most common cancer overall, prostate cancer lies 20th in the league table of annual cancer research spending.

The figures, published by Prostate Cancer UK, show that breast cancer - the most common female cancer which has a similar death rate as prostate cancer - received more than double the annual research spend.

While breast cancer research received £853 per case diagnosed, prostate cancer research received £417.

Prostate cancer kills one man every hour.

The number of men with the disease is rising and it is predicted to become the most common cancer of all in the UK by 2030, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

The charity has launched a new campaign, the Sledgehammer Fund, which aims to generate cash to support its work to increase research spending into the disease, as well as improve the support men receive.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "As part of our commitment to improving cancer survival, including ensuring better treatments for all patients, we have invested £104m into cancer research over the past year.

"Improving outcomes for men with cancer will be essential in meeting this aim.

"That is why we are investing £35m in the biggest publicly funded clinical trial ever to take place in this country to look at the effectiveness of treatments for prostate cancer."